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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Defense Officials Explain U.S. Policy, Strategy in Afghanistan DoD News 12 May 2021 -- The threat of violent extremists attacking the United States or allies from Afghanistan has been greatly reduced over the past 20 years, and any remaining threat emanating from the country can be addressed without a persistent U.S. military presence there, DOD officials told the House Armed Services Committee today.
• Chances For Peace In Afghanistan Recede As Deadly Taliban Attacks Spiral RFE/RL Gandhara 12 May 2021 -- An elusive peace deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban to end decades of war appears less likely each day as deadly violence by the militant group spirals across the country.
• Taliban Seizes District Near Kabul Ahead Of Eid Cease-Fire RFE/RL Gandhara 12 May 2021 -- Afghan officials say the Taliban have captured a strategic district some 40 kilometers from Kabul, ahead of a three-day cease-fire agreed for later this week and amid the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. and international forces from the war-torn country.
• Taliban seize key district on outskirts of Afghan capital despite ceasefire Press TV 12 May 2021 -- The Taliban militant group has captured a key district in Afghanistan's central province of Wardak, despite the announcement of a three-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
• Afghanistan: Top UN officials strongly condemn 'heinous' attack on girls school UN News 12 May 2021 -- Two senior UN officials on Wednesday, condemned in the strongest terms, a terrorist attack targeting girls and their families outside a high school in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Army announces divestiture of the Stryker Mobile Gun System US Army 12 May 2021 -- The U.S. Army will divest all Stryker Mobile Gun Systems by the end of fiscal year 2022. This decision comes after a comprehensive analysis highlighted obsolescence and systemic issues with the system's dated cannon and automatic loader.
• DoD tests CBRN aircrew protective suit upgrade at Nellis AFB US Air Force 12 May 2021 -- Representatives from across the Department of Defense in conjunction with the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron participated in ongoing developmental testing of the new Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble, or UIPE, Air system at Nellis Air Force Base.
• USS Harry S. Truman Departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard US Navy 12 May 2021 -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, May 12, following the conclusion of the first of its kind, Extended Carrier Incremental Availability, conducted there.
• HURREX/Citadel Gale 2021 Expands Emergency Response Training US Navy 12 May 2021 -- Every year, the U.S. Navy trains to withstand hurricane season with a dual exercise called Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale. This year's exercise will run from May 3 – 14.
• US and Jamaica Conduct Bi-lateral Maritime Exercise in Caribbean US Navy 12 May 2021 -- The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard patrol vessel HMJS George William Gordon conducted a bi-lateral maritime exercise in the Caribbean Sea, May 8.
• Press Conference with CNO, Senator Susan Collins, and Senator Angus King at Bath Iron Works Shipyard US Navy 12 May 2021
• The Joint Fight: Arctic Paratroopers and HIMARS Build Combat Power During Northern Edge 21 Army News 12 May 2021 -- Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, conducted an airborne operation May 11, 2021, onto Allen Army Airfield, Fort Greely, Alaska, as part of Northern Edge 2021.
• Garrison's Black Sea sites serve to launch troops into DEFENDER-Europe 21 Army News 12 May 2021 -- Hundreds of American and international military paratroopers jumping from a half-dozen cargo aircraft soaring over Romania May 11 culminated weeks of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz continuous support to one of the Army's premier exercises.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz DoD 12 May 2021
• Modernization Investments Needed to Protect the Space Domain, Space Force Chief Says DoD News 12 May 2021 -- The United States is a spacefaring nation, which depends on access to space and freedom to maneuver in space. However, there's a potential for conflict in space that could affect the lives of every American, said the chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force.
• Four NATO Allies and one partner boost Special Operations Forces capabilities NATO 12 May 2021 -- The Regional Special Operations Component Command (R-SOCC) declared that it has reached Initial Operational Capability on 12 May 2021 as part of exercise Black Swan 2021 (19 April – 14 May 2021).
• NATO Deputy Secretary General marks 10th anniversary of key missile defence agreement NATO 12 May 2021 -- NATO on Wednesday (12 May 2021) marked the 10th anniversary of the agreement between Romania and the United States to establish NATO's land-based ballistic missile defence system in southern Romania.
• Russia Expands Military Facilities in Syria VOA 12 May 2021 -- Russia is expanding its navy base at the Syrian port of Tartus and planning to construct a floating dock to boost the port's ship repair facilities, according to Russian military officials.
• PLA practices drone-guided beyond-visual-range helicopter attack Global Times 12 May 2021 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted a live-fire exercise in which reconnaissance drones guided helicopters in missile attacks on maritime targets beyond visual range, a technique that can boost combat efficiency, bring up the maximum potential of missiles and increase the survival rate of helicopters, a military analyst said on Wednesday.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Palestinian Authority President Abbas US Dept. of State 12 May 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu US Dept. of State 12 May 2021
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel The White House 12 May 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani The White House 12 May 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For May 12, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 12 May 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 12 May 2021
• Manila: Latest Patrols Show Almost 300 Chinese Militia Ships in Philippine Territory Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Manila said Wednesday that patrols had spotted nearly 300 Chinese militia ships in and around its exclusive economic zone earlier this week, amid bilateral tensions over the lingering presence of such vessels in Philippine-claimed waters of the South China Sea.
• Analysts: Vietnam Expanding Fishing Militia In South China Sea VOA 12 May 2021 -- Vietnam's maritime militia in the South China Sea shows signs of growing over the past decade, say scholars and a research institution in China where the government disputes parts of the waterway with Hanoi.
• More violence 'last thing Yemen needs', peace 'only way' to resolve crises UN News 12 May 2021 -- Peace is "the only way" to resolve the crisis in Yemen, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Preventing looming famine and alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people UK FCDO 12 May 2021 -- Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Yemen
• FM Zarif voices Iran's support for Syria presidential vote in meeting with President Assad Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has voiced the Islamic Republic of Iran's support for the elections in Syria as Damascus is set to hold a presidential vote in two weeks' time.
• De-escalation 'an absolute must' in Israel-Palestine conflict: Guterres UN News 12 May 2021 -- De-escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict is "an absolute must" said the UN Secretary-General on Wednesday, declaring that the mounting death toll, including children, was totally unacceptable.
• Tensions could escalate to 'full-scale war', UN Middle East envoy warns UN News 12 May 2021 -- The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process added his voice to calls for calm in the Occupied Palestinian Territory late on Tuesday, warning that the situation is "escalating towards a full-scale war", amid continuing air strikes and rocket attacks.
• U.S. calls for de-escalation in Israeli-Palestinian clashes People's Daily 12 May 2021 -- The United States on Tuesday continued to call for de-escalation of the deadly clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, denouncing extremism that inflicted violence on both sides.
• Israeli-Palestinian Violence Draws Biden Back to Middle East VOA 12 May 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden is under pressure to address the spiraling violence between Israel and Palestinians, as fresh rounds of fighting intensified this week, killing more than 50 Palestinians and at least seven Israelis.
• Several Top Hamas Commanders Killed in Israeli Airstrikes VOA 12 May 2021 -- Several commanders of the Hamas militant group have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Israel announced Wednesday, as clashes between the two sides escalate.
• As Fighting Escalates, Death Toll in Gaza and Neighboring Israel Rises to 40 VOA 12 May 2021 -- At least 40 people in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem have been killed in fighting between Hamas and Israeli security forces that escalated Wednesday.
• Tension between Israel, Gaza militants threatens to further escalate as death toll mounts People's Daily 12 May 2021 -- The tit-for-tat trade of fire between militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel has been mounting on Tuesday, leaving 28 Palestinians and three Israelis killed and dozens of others wounded from both sides.
• Erdogan calls on international community to give Israel 'strong' lesson Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced Israel's attacks on Palestinians in Jerusalem al-Quds and the besieged Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to give Israel a "strong" lesson.
• Israel rains down bombs on Gaza, resistance responds with 1000-plus rockets Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Palestinian resistance group have fired a barrage of rockets at the Israeli-occupied cities in response to the regime's continued bombardments of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip, as the death toll from the latest flare-up rises on both sides.
• Palestinians Launch Around 180 Missiles on Wednesday, Total Tally Tops 1,500, IDF Says Sputnik 12 May 2021 -- In response to a number of killings in the Gaza Strip, the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, declared their intention to fire dozens of rockets at Israeli border towns.
• Deaths From Israeli Strikes in Gaza Rise to 65, Palestinian Health Official Says Sputnik 12 May 2021 -- The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza exclave rose to 65 by Wednesday night, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.
• 'This is Only the Beginning': Netanyahu Vows to 'Inflict Blows That Hamas Has Not Dreamt Of' Sputnik 12 May 2021 -- The first retaliation by Tel Aviv against Hamas' overnight rocket barrage has killed several top military commanders of the Palestinian group.
• UN chief condemns attack on peacekeeping mission in DRC People's Daily 12 May 2021 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday strongly condemned Monday's attack against a temporary position of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which resulted in the death of one Malawian blue helmet.
• UK agrees to Radovan Karadžić prisoner transfer UK FCDO 12 May 2021 -- The UK has agreed that Radovan Karadžić, convicted of the Srebrenica genocide, should be transferred to a UK prison to serve the rest of his sentence.
• Karadzic To Serve Remainder Of Life Sentence In British Prison RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who is currently being held in a prison in The Hague for war crimes and genocide, will serve the remainder of his sentence in Britain.

News Reports

• Statement from Press Secretary Jen Psaki The White House 12 May 2021
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Executive Order Charting a New Course to Improve the Nation's Cybersecurity and Protect Federal Government Networks The White House 12 May 2021
• Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on Executive Order Charting a New Course to Improve the Nation's Cybersecurity and Protect Federal Government Networks The White House 12 May 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Michael Regan, May 12, 2021 The White House 12 May 2021
• Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on Charting New Course to Improve the Nation's Cybersecurity and Protect Federal Government Networks DHS 12 May 2021 -- Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement in support of President Biden's Executive Order to improve our nation's cybersecurity and protect federal government networks:
• Homeland Security Chief Vows Government-wide Response to Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack VOA 12 May 2021 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading a governmentwide response to the cyberattack that shuttered the largest fuel pipeline in the United States last week, sparking concerns about gasoline shortages.
• Biden Signs Executive Order Improving Cybersecurity After Recent Hackings Sputnik 12 May 2021 -- President Joe Biden has signed an executive order that is expected to improve cybersecurity and incident response efforts after the recent cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, the White Hosue said in a release.
• Colonial Pipeline Restarts Operations, Will Take 'Several Days' to Resume Normal Service Sputnik 12 May 2021 -- Earlier, the Colonial Pipeline underwent devastating setbacks after being the focus of a recent cyberattack. The pipeline serves a critical part of the US petroleum infrastructure as it transports nearly half of the US East Coat's fuel supply.
• Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 12 May 2021 -- Defendant Disseminated ISIS Propaganda and Bomb-Making Instructions in an Effort to Incite Acts of Terrorism and Violence in New York City and Elsewhere
• Treasury Identifies Sinaloa-based Mexican Narcotics Trafficker That Helps Fuel the U.S. Opioid Epidemic US Treasury 12 May 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified Jesus Gonzalez Penuelas and the Gonzalez Penuelas Drug Trafficking Organization (Gonzalez Penuelas DTO) as Significant Foreign Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act).
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken on Release of the 2020 International Religious Freedom Report US Dept. of State 12 May 2021 -- Remarks to the Press
• Briefing with Senior Official Daniel Nadel, Office of International Religious Freedom On the Release of the 2020 International Religious Freedom Report US Dept. of State 12 May 2021
• Briefing with Senior Official Daniel Nadel, Office of International Religious Freedom on Release of the 2020 International Religious Freedom Report US Dept. of State 12 May 2021
• Telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Russia 12 May 2021 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Secretary Blinken's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov US Dept. of State 12 May 2021
• Blinken Tells Lavrov That U.S. Won't Hesitate To Respond To Russian Aggression RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden won't waver in responding to aggression from Moscow in the United States or elsewhere.
• Former Russian Lawmaker Jailed Over Posts On Pro-Navalny Rally RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- Russian opposition politician and former mayor of the Urals city of Yekaterinburg Yevgeny Roizman has been sentenced to nine days in jail for his online posts about a January 31 rally to support jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
• Russia expels Romanian diplomat in tit-for-tat move Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Russia has expelled the Romanian assistance military attaché in Moscow in a tit-for-tat measure after Romania declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata late last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on May 12, 2021 PRC MofA 12 May 2021
• Hong Kong LegCo adopts bill requiring oath-taking by all district councilors Global Times 12 May 2021 -- The Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) voted on Wednesday to approve the bill on public servants' candidacies and taking up offices, requiring all district councilors to swear allegiance as soon as next month. The move was widely applauded, as loyalty pledges by civil servants and people who run for public positions are a basic political and ethical standard.
• China's National Security Law Could Spark Expat Exodus From Hong Kong Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- A draconian national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from July 1, 2020 appears set to spark an exodus of expats from the city, according to a survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).
• Designation of Chinese Communist Party Official Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights US Dept. of State 12 May 2021 -- "Today, the Department of State transmitted its 2020 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom to the United States Congress."
• US Sanctions Chinese Official for Role in Religious Persecution VOA 12 May 2021 -- The United States has sanctioned a Chinese Communist Party official for involvement "in gross violations of human rights, namely the arbitrary detention of Falun Gong practitioners for their spiritual beliefs."
• China 'Using Population Claims' to Mask Effect of Mass Incarceration in Xinjiang Camps Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Official claims that China's ethnic minority populations are growing faster than the majority Han population are being used to justify genocidal policies in Xinjiang, commentators said.
• Calls Grow at UN for China to Admit Rights Chief to Xinjiang VOA 12 May 2021 -- Western nations and human rights groups Wednesday called on China to allow the U.N. human rights chief unobstructed access to the Xinjiang region to investigate the situation of ethnic Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic Muslim minorities.
• UN Must Take Action on China's Abuses in Xinjiang, Diplomats and Rights Groups Say Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- The United Nations must take urgent and immediate action to protect Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims facing crimes against humanity committed by China in its northwestern Xinjiang region, diplomats, legal experts, and rights activists said on Wednesday.
• China TV Network Accounts for Bulk of Beijing's Influence Spending in US VOA 12 May 2021 -- China's big-budget foreign influence operation in the United States is heavily tilted toward television broadcasting and other media activities, according to newly disclosed Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings.
• Protesters Detained In Almaty After Demanding Relatives Be Released In Xinjiang RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- Police in Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, have detained at least nine protesters who have been picketing the Chinese consulate for 93 days to demand the release of relatives they say are being "illegally" held in China.
• Stubborn Taiwan secessionists like Wu to be held accountable: Taiwan Affairs Office Global Times 12 May 2021 -- The Chinese mainland will take all necessary measures to hold stubborn Taiwan secessionists accountable with no liability period, a spokesperson from the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said on Wednesday in response to a question as to whether Wu Jaushieh, the island's leader of external affairs, is on a mainland blacklist.
• First-phase Socialist Emulation Drive in Construction of 10 000 Flats in Pyongyang Reviewed KCNA 12 May 2021 -- A meeting was held to review the first-phase socialist emulation drive in the construction site of 10 000 flats in Pyongyang, the major offensive front line symbolizing the new period of a great upsurge and turn in socialist construction.
• Hungry North Korean Construction Workers in Pyongyang Rob and Murder Citizens to Buy Food Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Residents of the North Korean capital Pyongyang are living in fear after construction workers on a major national project in the area have resorted to violent robberies to get enough money to feed themselves, sources in the city told RFA.
• IAEA says Iran enriched uranium to up to 63% purity Press TV 12 May 2021 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says samples taken from the Natanz nuclear facility show Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63 percent, and that the purity level is "consistent with the fluctuations" announced by the Islamic Republic.
• Araghchi: Resumption of Additional Protocol needs lifting sanctions IRNA 12 May 2021 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that the resumption of voluntary application of Additional Protocols (AP) by Iran is predicated on sanctions being lifted.
• Resumption of implementation of Additional Protocol requires lifting of sanctions: Iran deputy FM ISNA 12 May 2021 -- Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi referred to the Vienna talks and Iran's efforts in reviving the JCPOA, stressing that resumption of voluntary application of Additional Protocol by Iran is predicated on sanctions being lifted.
• Iran's chief negotiator: Resumption of Additional Protocol implementation 'predicated on sanctions lifting' Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Iran's chief negotiator says Tehran's resumption of the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol allowing short-notice inspections of the country's nuclear sites is "predicated" on the verifiable lifting of sanctions.
• Zarif turns down Reformist appeals to run for president, potentially reshaping 2021 race Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, has announced he will not be running for president in the June 18 election, officially turning down a major appeal by the Reformist camp and potentially reshaping the race.
• Iranian Ex-President Ahmadinejad Making Another Run For Office RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- Former Iranian hard-line President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has registered his candidacy for a third term in office in next month's election.
• Iran's IRGC vows 'more powerful' support for Palestine Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) vehemently condemns the Israeli regime's hugely deadly atrocities of the recent weeks across the Palestinian territories, pledging to stand "more powerfully" in support of the Palestinian nation.
• IRGC destroys terrorist team in northwestern Iran, kills seven members Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Forces with Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have destroyed a team of terrorists in the northwest of the country near the border with Turkey, killing several of its members in the security operation.
• Myanmar: UN rights experts urge business 'to take a stand' against military junta UN News 12 May 2021 -- United Nations independent rights experts on Wednesday urged businesses in Myanmar to uphold their human rights responsibilities and apply pressure on the military junta to halt grave human rights violations against its own people.
• UN Calls for More International Pressure Against Myanmar Junta VOA 12 May 2021 -- The U.N. human rights office is calling for more international pressure against Myanmar's military junta, which it says has continued a brutal crackdown on opponents despite a recent agreement to halt violence and begin dialogue.
• Myanmar's junta arrests dozens over alleged arson, bombings Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Security forces in Myanmar have arrested dozens of people, accusing them of masterminding arson attacks and explosions, amid anti-coup protests that have sparked fears of a civil war in the country.
• Myanmar Banking System 'Near Collapse' as Customers Make Fewer Deposits, More Withdrawals Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Myanmar's banking system has nearly collapsed following the Feb. 1 military coup, with the country's Central Bank and private banks seeing fewer deposits made and more money being taken out in withdrawals, sources in the country say.
• Interview: 'It's Like We Are Serving Them, Not the Country' Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Capt. Aung Sin Phyo had been a loyal soldier in the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military, stationed in Tarlay, a town in eastern Shan state near the borders with Laos and Thailand. When the military ousted the country's democratically elected government on Feb. 1, Aung Sin Phyo saw it as a power grab by the Tatmadaw's leaders. After seeing news reports of violent suppression of anti-coup protests, he decided he would defect.
• Iraq: New UN report shines light on 'deeply worrying' pattern of restrictions in Kurdistan UN News 12 May 2021 -- Over the past year, freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been increasingly curtailed, according to a UN report issued on Wednesday.
• Under France's pressure, EU prepares sanctions on Lebanese politicians Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Under France's growing pressure, the European Union (EU) is drawing up sanctions against some Lebanese politicians who the bloc claims are obstructing the formation of a new government in the Arab country.
• Protests continue in Colombia, more deaths reported Press TV 12 May 2021 -- People in Colombia continue to stage protests against the government of President Ivan Duque, and more deaths are being reported as a result of a crackdown by security forces in the country.
• Bulgaria's New Caretaker PM Vows To Ensure Fair Snap Polls RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- Bulgarian caretaker Prime Mnister Stefan Yanev has officially taken office, saying the main priority of his government will be to uphold the rule of law and ensure the fairness of the upcoming snap parliamentary elections.
• Commuter Chaos In Turkmen Capital As Ashgabat 'Goes Green' For Two Weeks RFE/RL 12 May 2021 -- The authorities in Turkmenistan's capital have temporarily restricted traffic in an effort to give its nearly 900,000 residents a two-week respite from the growing air-pollution problem.
• UK to provide bridging loan to help clear Sudan's arrears at the African Development Bank: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCDO 12 May 2021 -- The UK has provided a bridging loan to enable the clearance of Sudan's arrears at the African Development Bank.
• Uganda's Museveni Sworn In for Sixth Term VOA 12 May 2021 -- As he has five times before, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni took the oath of office Wednesday and was sworn in to a sixth term in office.
• Freedom of Speech, Assembly Under Attack in Algeria, UN Warns VOA 12 May 2021 -- U.N. human rights officials are expressing concern about increasingly repressive actions by the Algerian government, which they say are stifling peoples' rights to freedom of opinion and assembly.